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The Biden administration released a draft environmental review of Dominion Energy Inc.’s offshore wind farm on Monday. with 176 turbines, bringing the nation’s largest proposed ocean renewable energy project one step closer to construction.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) also released an extensive review of the 94-turbine Sunrise Wind project, which is proposed off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., but would supply electricity to customers in New York.
Dominion’s Offshore Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOV) project and Sunrise Wind, a joint venture between Ørsted A/S and Eversource Energy, would be among the nation’s first offshore wind farms if built, and their progress represents the Biden administration’s commitment to advancing the nascent industry from the shores of the nation.
The White House said it would fast-track 16 offshore wind farms through permitting by 2025, as part of a larger policy platform to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity.
CVOV and Sunrise are the fourth and fifth proposed wind farms to reach the draft environmental review stage, a milestone in the multi-year permitting process that weighs the impacts on marine life, birds and fisheries from the construction and operation of large ocean wind farms. The reviews, which will be scrutinized by industry critics, look at the proposed turbines as well as associated infrastructure, such as substations and transmission cable routes to the coast.
In Virginia, Dominion is seeking approval for up to 205 turbines, anchored to the ocean floor approximately 24 nautical miles from Virginia Beach. Dominion anticipates using 176 Siemens Gamesa 14.7 megawatt turbines with three offshore substations. Construction is scheduled to begin — pending BOEM approval — in 2024.
Bob Blue, Dominion’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the draft environmental impact statement represents a “major milestone” in keeping the project on time and on budget.
The nearly $10 billion project has caused some tension in Virginia, where the company has been criticized for the high cost of the wind farm. State regulators are weighing a proposed cost cap to prevent the overage from falling solely on customers in the Commonwealth (EnergiviresOctober 31).
Peter Anderson, with the Virginia cost protection environmental group Appalachian Voices, said the group has confidence in the regulators.
“As the federal process surrounding Dominion’s proposed offshore wind farm moves forward, Appalachian Voices has been clear: We support the project with adequate and strong consumer protections,” he said in an email.
Dominion said the project will save consumers about $3 billion in the first 10 years of operation by offsetting reliance on fossil fuels.
“Offshore wind offers many benefits for Virginia – zero emissions, zero fuel and transformational for the Hampton Roads economy,” Blue said in a statement. “We look forward to working with federal regulators and the public to ensure that the project fully protects the environment.”
Sunrise Wind proposes to erect the turbines approximately 26 nautical miles off the coast of New York’s Long Island. It has already signed a power purchase agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for its power.
Ryan Ferguson, a spokesman for the project, said BOEM’s review pushes New York closer to renewable energy goals. Sunrise is expected to generate enough energy for 600,000 homes and create 800 construction jobs, he said.
“As always, we remain committed to working with our community and environmental partners to ensure the project is built responsibly and sustainably,” Ferguson said in a statement.
The reviews will go through 60-day public comment periods before BOEM produces a final version and a subsequent decision to approve, deny, or approve with modifications. The bureau, which operates under the Department of the Interior, also scheduled several public meetings for each project.
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